--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1844 to 1845. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 5 number: 6 published: 1844-03-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Our City, and the Present Aspect of Affairs,” *Times and Seasons* 5, no. 6 (March 15, 1844): 471–472." printed_title: OUR CITY, AND THE PRESENT ASPECT OF AFFAIRS. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-03-15_5_6 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n06.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-03-15_5_6 start_page: 471 end_page: 472 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1844 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-03-15_5_6 publication_year: 1844 --- # Our City, and the Present Aspect of Affairs Believing that our patrons and friends are pleased to hear of our prosperity, we feel happy in apprising them of the same, through the columns of our paper. Owing to the scarcity of provision, and the pressure in the money market during the past winter, commercial business has been somewhat dull; consequently those who were not previously prepared, have been obliged to employ the principle portion of their time in obtaining the necessary means for the sustenance of their families; therefore little improvement has been made. But old boreas is now on his receding march, and spring has commenced its return with all its pleasantness. Navigation is open, and steam boats are almost continually plying up and down our majestic river; they have already brought several families of emigrants to this place, who have cordially joined with their friends and brethren in the great work of the upbuilding of Zion, and the rolling forth of the kingdom of God. The work of improvement is now begun, and in every direction may be heard the sound of the mason's trowel the carpenter's hammer, the teamster's voice; or in other words, the hum of industry, and the voice of merriment. Indeed, to judge from the present appearance, a greater amount of improvement will be done the ensuing summer, than in the preceding one. Almost every stranger that enters our city, is excited with astonishment, that so much has been done in so short a time; but we flatter ourself, from the known industry, perseverance and diligence of the saints, that by the return of another winter, so much more will be accomplished, that his astonishment will be increased to wonder and admiration. Quite extensive preparations are being made by the farmers in this vicinity, for the cultivation of land; and should the season prove favorable, we doubt not that nearly, if not a sufficient amount of produce will be raised to supply the wants of the city and adjacent country. We are also pleased that we can inform our friends abroad, that the saints here of late, have taken hold of the work on the Temple with zeal and energy that in no small degree excites our admiration. Their united efforts certainly speaks to us, that it is their determination that this spacious edifice shall be enclosed, if not finished, this season. And a word we would say to the saints abroad, which is, that the temple is being built in compliance with a special commandment of God, not to a few individuals, but to all; therefore we sincerely hope you will contribute of your means as liberally, as your circumstances will allow, that the burden of the work may not rest upon a few, but proportionately upon all. Where is the true hearted saint that does not with joy and delight, contemplate the endowment of the servants of God, and the blessings he has promised his people on condition they speedily build the Temple? Certainly you cannot reasonably expect to enjoy these blessings, if you refuse to contribute your share towards its erection. It is a thing of importance, and much depends upon its accomplishment; therefore, we wish to forcibly impress the matter upon your minds, hoping you will become aroused to a sense of your duty; that every company of saints, every elder that comes here, and every mail, may bring money and other property for this important work, which when completed will stand, in one sense of the word, as a firm pillar in Zion, and which will greatly facilitate the prosperity of the great cause of truth, which we all are actively engaged in. For several Sundays past, when the weather was favorable, large crowds of our citizens assembled near the Temple, where they have been favored with very interesting and eloquent discourses, from Gen. Joseph Smith, President Hyrum Smith, Elder P. P. Pratt, and others. On the last occasion that Gen. Smith favored us with a discourse, he spoke on the subject of the spirits, powers, and missions of the Messiah, Elias, and Elijah, to an attentive audience, that listened with an almost breathless silence; their minds apparently being completely absorbed with the subject, while with a rapturous delight they heard so exquisite a dissertation upon these important principles, which are connected with the great plan of salvation. It being in the open air, and the audience being so large, that it was with great difficulty he could be heard by all present. We have frequently heard him of late, in a very plaintive manner speak of the difficulties that he labors under in speaking to a congregation thus situated, also that many glorious principles of the kingdom of God, which he is anxious to make known while he had to contend with this difficulty, which can be fully obviated by the completion of the Temple.